Hi, I've had an 1985 FJ60 for a while now. I'm trying to keep to old girl running reliably. When I first got her I changed the fluids, hoses, belts, water-pump just because they were "unknowns" and easy to do. So I take full responsibility for any and all screwups 
I suspect that my thermostat (new OEM) isn't performing correctly. The dash gauge reads real low (close to cold always) and the Holley Sniper temp (gauge installed in block drain) takes forever to hit 180 degrees, is often lower in the summer at highway speeds and has never been above 190. To be clear I don't know what temperatures equate to hot or cold, I've never seen number listed so this may be perfectly fine but the heater does take a loooong time to get hot.
So I armed myself with some beers and got on the internet. What could go wrong? I decided to check the self installed thermostat figuring that I botched the install but it's one if the things on the old girl that doesn't leak so I'm real reluctant to open it up. Curiosity got the better of me so I obtained a lower and upper gasket today and opened it up expecting to find an upside down thermostat. As best that I can tell it's installed correctly. The gasket was on top of the thermostat, kind of holding it down. Is this correct? Does it matter if it's base housing-thermostat-gasket-top housing or base housing-gasket-thermostat-top housing?
The upper gasket was in place but a little out of round. Is this an issue?
I noticed two plugs on the base housing that are... well pluged. Should the sender for the dash guage be here? As best that I can tell the sender is in the head, drivers side, slightly behind the carb (see pics) is this ok? Am I getting an accurate reading?
A lot of the treads that I've read on thermostats suggest applying copper anti seize to the housing bolts. I have anti seize but it's not copper. Can I use it or should I get copper?
Lastly burping. I do that after a beer but how do I get my cooling system to do it? It is referenced in many threads but I haven't read of a procedure. I haven't found anything in my manuals. The best that I can piece togehter is. Park with the font up hill, remove radiator cap, turn heater on, run motor, repeatdly squeze top radiator hose, add coolant as needed, continue until she won't take any more. How does that sound?
One more lastly. If it's not obvious I'm not a mechanic, I have some basic tools, access to the internet and a desire to learn how to fix my own sh#t my terminology and methodology may be off please correct or educate me.
Here are some pics for reference.
I suspect that my thermostat (new OEM) isn't performing correctly. The dash gauge reads real low (close to cold always) and the Holley Sniper temp (gauge installed in block drain) takes forever to hit 180 degrees, is often lower in the summer at highway speeds and has never been above 190. To be clear I don't know what temperatures equate to hot or cold, I've never seen number listed so this may be perfectly fine but the heater does take a loooong time to get hot.So I armed myself with some beers and got on the internet. What could go wrong? I decided to check the self installed thermostat figuring that I botched the install but it's one if the things on the old girl that doesn't leak so I'm real reluctant to open it up. Curiosity got the better of me so I obtained a lower and upper gasket today and opened it up expecting to find an upside down thermostat. As best that I can tell it's installed correctly. The gasket was on top of the thermostat, kind of holding it down. Is this correct? Does it matter if it's base housing-thermostat-gasket-top housing or base housing-gasket-thermostat-top housing?
The upper gasket was in place but a little out of round. Is this an issue?
I noticed two plugs on the base housing that are... well pluged. Should the sender for the dash guage be here? As best that I can tell the sender is in the head, drivers side, slightly behind the carb (see pics) is this ok? Am I getting an accurate reading?
A lot of the treads that I've read on thermostats suggest applying copper anti seize to the housing bolts. I have anti seize but it's not copper. Can I use it or should I get copper?
Lastly burping. I do that after a beer but how do I get my cooling system to do it? It is referenced in many threads but I haven't read of a procedure. I haven't found anything in my manuals. The best that I can piece togehter is. Park with the font up hill, remove radiator cap, turn heater on, run motor, repeatdly squeze top radiator hose, add coolant as needed, continue until she won't take any more. How does that sound?
One more lastly. If it's not obvious I'm not a mechanic, I have some basic tools, access to the internet and a desire to learn how to fix my own sh#t my terminology and methodology may be off please correct or educate me.
Here are some pics for reference.
